Page 4 of Ridge

Ridge leaned against his kitchen counter. “That was fast.”

“Well, there’s no need to drag things out when both you and the demon I talked to have agreed to go.”

“Someone’s agreed?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, Nymon declined, which is why I’m not sending Tex.”

“I can do just as good a job.”

“I know. That’s why I’m sending you instead of him. Besides, this will be easier for Kael.”

Ridge blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Well, he already knows you. I’m sure that’ll make it easier for him to deal with everything.”

Oh, no. “You asked Kael to do this?”

“Yes. I realize he hasn’t been in the human world for long, but I think that might actually help. He hasn’t fully settled in yet, but he’s been here long enough to see how it would benefit demons to be more open. I don’t actually expect him to convince them to open up their villages and towns right away, but he can at least talk to them. He can tell them what he’s encountered and how things would be different if he knew he could go back to his hometown.”

“And he said yes?”

“He did. He was hesitant, but I think it’s mostly because he’s never done anything like this. From what I gathered, he’s been pretty sheltered.”

Ridge closed his eyes. Of course he was going to be doing this with Kael of all people. The universe was probably laughing at him right now.

He’d taken this job to put some distance between himself and his mate, and instead, they were going to be stuck together for who knew how long. This might be a sign from the universe, but if it was, Ridge wasn’t sure what the universe was trying to say. As far as he was concerned, the universe was being a little bitch, and he didn’t appreciate that.

He supposed he could tell Gregory he’d changed his mind. Gregory might not even ask for a full explanation. But would Ridge do that?

He didn’t want to. He didn’t want to disappoint Gregory, who’d clearly been working hard to make this happen. Even more than that, he didn’t want to send Kael into whatever town they were supposed to visit on his own. He was sure that Gregory would find someone else to go with Kael if Ridge told him he didn’t want to go anymore, but how could Ridge trust them? He might if it was Tex or another of the assassins he’d trained with, but even then, he wasn’t completely sure. Kael was his mate, and he was unclaimed. More than that, if Kael was in danger, Ridge would have to be the one to save him, not someone else.

He sighed. “All demons are pretty sheltered,” he said. “But yes, I agree that he’s probably the best person to do this. From what I know, the other demons who live in the human world have been here for much longer and have fully adapted.”

“You’re correct. They’re fully part of the human world now, and it’s been years. I don’t even think most demons would want to talk to them.”

“You can’t be sure they’ll want to talk to Kael either.”

“I can’t be, but there’s a good chance that they will. He’s not threatening at all. He might not become best friends with any of them, but I think they’ll at least listen to him. The council has already reached out to a few town leaders, and we’ve chosen your first stop.”

“All right. Send me everything by email, and I’ll go over it. When did you say we were leaving?”

“Day after tomorrow, if you and Kael can work things out. I know it’s quick, but I believe the sooner we do this, the better.”

“I agree with you on that. Getting the demons to open up to the human world is going to take time.”

“Thank you, Ridge. I really wanted Nymon and Tex to go, but since Tex trusts you, I’m glad it’s you.”

“I’m glad you trust me.” Ridge couldn’t say he was glad it was him, but he supposed he’d have to deal with whatever the universe was throwing at him. Hell, maybe it would be good for him and Kael. Maybe they’d finally have the opportunity to talk. If they did this, Kael couldn’t run the way he did every time they were in the same room.

That happened fairly often. After all, their best friends were together. Ridge wasn’t sure why no one had said anything about the weirdness between him and Kael, but considering everything, he was pretty sure that Tex and Nymon had a hand in what was happening.

He wasn’t even angry. They wanted Ridge and Kael to work things out, just like Ridge did. Maybe if he managed to tell Kael that he was his mate, Kael would give him a chance. Maybe he’d stop running. Ridge wasn’t sure what he’d do if Kael didn’t, but he supposed he’d find out soon enough.

But he had to remember that they were being sent away for a specific reason. They had a job to do, and that was what they should focus on. They’d have the opportunity to talk, especially during travel, but that wasn’t something Ridge should focus on right now. No, he needed to focus on the mission and what they would potentially find once they reached the first town. The demons might know they were coming, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t be hostile, and Ridge’s first priority was to protect Kael and make sure nothing happened to him. It wasn’t only because Kael was his mate. It was his job, and he was proud to say that he took it seriously.

“You’ll have to pick him up from his apartment,” Gregory explained. “I’m sure you know he doesn’t drive.”

Ridge swallowed. “So we’re driving?”